Where to Live in Rockville

Cheri and Bob Justis had lived in a five-bedroom house in Germantown for 14 years, but they’d long dreamed of trading it for a condominium closer to DC. After six months of condo hunting in places such as Alexandria and Bethesda, they fell in love with the Palladian in Rockville Town Square.

“The whole mixed-use community with restaurants, shops, and condos was amazing,” says Cheri. Their new two-bedroom unit, which sits just beneath the clock overlooking Rockville Town Square, gives them a front-row view of community activities. In December, they watched the town square’s Christmas-tree lighting from their window.

The couple also likes the condo’s proximity to the Metro—the Red Line’s Rockville stop is a short walk away. The Justises, both proposal writers, often take the subway to meet with clients who work in the District. Says Cheri: “We can either walk to everything or ride to where we want to be.”

The Rockville area has lots of condos and apartments. These five communities have new units for sale or rent:

Completed in March of last year, theAlaire (1101 Higgins Pl., Rockville; 301-770-4440) is the first gold-level LEED-certified apartment complex in the Washington area. It has a “green” roof, solar-powered trash compactors, and a saline pool. Within walking distance of the Twinbrook Metro station, the complex has 229 units, 66 of which are still available for lease. Rents range from $1,725 for a one-bedroom to $2,700 for a two-bedroom with loft. All units come with a free parking space.

Meridian at Grosvenor Station (5230 Tuckerman La., Rockville; 301-581-0015) is a five-minute walk to the Red Line. The building has 301 units, 8 of which are still available for lease. Rents are $1,765 and up for one-bedrooms, $2,580 and up for two-bedrooms. The building has a gym and a rooftop pool.

North Bethesda Market(11351 Woodglen Dr., North Bethesda; 301-287-8900) has 397 apartments ranging from $1,745 to $4,930 a month. Within two blocks of the White Flint Metro, the building includes two swimming pools and a lounge.

The Palladian(38 Maryland Ave., Rockville; 301-610-6035) is a 152-unit building in Rockville Town Square. It offers a lease-to-own option—you can rent, buy, or choose to buy at the end of your lease. Units range from one to three bedrooms and have hardwood floors; some have floor-to-ceiling windows. The complex also has a club room and a gym. Rents range from about $1,400 to $3,496 a month; prices to buy are $350,000 to $899,000. Two units are currently available.

White Flint Station(11800 Old Georgetown Rd., Rockville; 301-468-0300) offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos two blocks from the White Flint Metro. Each unit has hardwood floors and granite countertops, and the complex offers a free parking space with every unit as well as concierge service and a fitness center. Prices range from $343,720 for a one-bedroom to $557,995 for a three-bedroom.

This article first appeared in the February 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.